U.S. patent application number 15/741415 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-27 for vehicle entry device, and vehicle trim component equipped with such device.
The applicant listed for this patent is DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS SAS. Invention is credited to Lionel Bitauld, Joseph Bosnjak, Francis Delavigne, Thomas Farges.
Application Number | 20180374294 15/741415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54360488 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180374294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farges; Thomas ; et
al. |
December 27, 2018 |
VEHICLE ENTRY DEVICE, AND VEHICLE TRIM COMPONENT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH
DEVICE
Abstract
A vehicle entry device is designed to equip a vehicle and may
include: a housing defining a cavity and adapted to be fixed to the
vehicle; and an electronics module disposed in the cavity,
including: a printed circuit board; an antenna connected to the
printed circuit board and configured to capture a NFC signal,
wherein the antenna includes windings directly arranged on the
printed circuit board; an NFC receiver connected to the printed
circuit board, in communication with the antenna and configured to
receive the NFC signal from the antenna; and a processing element
connected to the printed circuit board, in communication with the
NFC receiver and configured to provide a control signal to a
control system equipping the vehicle, based on the NFC signal
transmitted by the NFC receiver, said control signal allowing
access to the vehicle. A vehicle trim component may be equipped
with such vehicle entry device.
Inventors: |
Farges; Thomas; (Gometz Le
Chatel, FR) ; Delavigne; Francis; (Ollainville,
FR) ; Bitauld; Lionel; (Gif Sur Yvette, FR) ;
Bosnjak; Joseph; (Jouars Pontchartrain, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS SAS |
Bievres |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
54360488 |
Appl. No.: |
15/741415 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
September 30, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2015/001734 |
371 Date: |
January 2, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 2209/64 20130101;
G07C 9/00944 20130101; H01Q 7/06 20130101; H04B 5/0081 20130101;
G07C 2009/00968 20130101; H01Q 1/3241 20130101; H04B 5/00 20130101;
H04B 5/0056 20130101; H04B 5/0025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07C 9/00 20060101
G07C009/00; H01Q 1/32 20060101 H01Q001/32; H01Q 7/06 20060101
H01Q007/06; H04B 5/00 20060101 H04B005/00 |
Claims
1. A vehicle entry device, designed to equip a vehicle and
comprising: a housing defining a cavity and adapted to be fixed to
the vehicle; and an electronics module disposed in the cavity,
including: a printed circuit board; an antenna connected to the
printed circuit board and configured to capture a NFC signal,
wherein the antenna includes windings directly arranged on the
printed circuit board; a NFC receiver connected to the printed
circuit board, in communication with the antenna and configured to
receive the NFC signal from the antenna; and a processing element
connected to the printed circuit board, in communication with the
NFC receiver and configured to provide a control signal to a
control system equipping the vehicle, based on the NFC signal
transmitted by the NFC receiver, said control signal allowing
access to the vehicle.
2. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
processing element and the NFC receiver are connected to a first
side portion of the printed circuit board, while the antenna is
connected to a second side portion of the printed circuit board
opposite the first side portion.
3. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
processing element, the NFC receiver and the antenna are connected
to a same face of the printed circuit board.
4. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
antenna does not surround the processing element.
5. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a front part and a rear part defining the cavity for
receiving the electronics module, the rear part being designed to
be fixed to a vehicle trim component.
6. The vehicle entry device according to claim 5, wherein the front
part is a transparent cover.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
antenna includes three windings.
10. (canceled)
11. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the NFC
receiver includes a capacitor and an EMC filter.
12. (canceled)
13. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, wherein the
electronics module further comprises a light source connected to
the printed circuit board and in communication with the NFC
receiver, and wherein the light source emits light through a
transparent or translucent portion of the housing when the NFC
receiver receives the NFC signal from the antenna.
14. The vehicle entry device according to claim 13, further
comprising a light guide positioned between the light source and
the transparent or translucent portion of the housing.
15. The vehicle entry device according to claim 13, wherein the
antenna surrounds the light source.
16. The vehicle entry device according to claim 1, further
comprising a ferrite sheet disposed on a rear outer surface of the
housing.
17. The vehicle entry device according to claim 16, wherein the
ferrite sheet covers an area of the rear outer surface of the
housing corresponding to an area covered by the antenna inside the
housing.
18. The vehicle entry device according to claim 16, wherein the
ferrite sheet covers an area of the rear outer surface of the
housing larger than an area covered by the antenna inside the
housing.
19. The vehicle entry device according to claim 16, wherein the
ferrite sheet is disposed opposite the processing element, the NFC
receiver and the antenna in relation with the printed circuit
board.
20. The vehicle entry device according to claim 16, wherein the
ferrite sheet is attached to the housing by an adhesive.
21. (canceled)
22. A vehicle trim component, equipped with a vehicle entry device
according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the vehicle entry
device is attached to a mounting surface of the vehicle trim
component.
23. The vehicle trim component according to claim 22, wherein the
vehicle trim component is a vehicle pillar member and the housing
of the vehicle entry device is attached to a mounting surface of a
pillar capping.
24. The vehicle trim component according to claim 22, wherein a
seal member is disposed between the mounting surface of the vehicle
trim component and the housing of the vehicle entry device.
25. The vehicle trim component according to claim 22, wherein the
vehicle trim component is provided with a marking visible from
outside the vehicle, wherein the electronics module of the vehicle
entry device comprises a light source connected to the printed
circuit board and in communication with the NFC receiver, and
wherein the light source emits light through a transparent or
translucent portion of the housing and backlights the marking when
the NFC receiver receives the NFC signal from the antenna.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a vehicle entry device, designed to
equip a vehicle and allow access to the vehicle upon reception of a
NFC signal (Near Field Communication signal). The invention also
concerns a vehicle trim component equipped with such device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a known manner, a vehicle comprises at least one door
provided with a vehicle entry device including a lock. A key is
inserted into the lock to unlock the latter, open the door and
enter the vehicle.
[0003] Alternately or additionally, a vehicle can be provided with
a vehicle entry device including an electronic lock actuated by an
electronic key.
[0004] WO 2010 115 585 discloses an example of vehicle entry
device, comprising a housing and a keypad. The device is integrated
to a trim component of an automotive vehicle.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,130 674 discloses another example of
vehicle entry device, comprising an illumination system. The device
is integrated to a door handle assembly of an automotive
vehicle.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,341 414 discloses another example of
vehicle entry device, comprising numerous components mounted on a
PCB (printed circuit board). Those components include a LF 3D coil
assembly, a NFC chip card mount for receiving a NFC chip card, a
power supply cell mounted on a bracket, an antenna sub-assembly, a
controller, an oscillating crystal and a transceiver. The antenna
comprises a flexible film and conductor tracks carried by the film.
Some components are mounted on the front face of the PCB, while
some other components including the antenna are mounted on the back
face of the PCB. Such vehicle entry device has a complex,
cumbersome and expensive construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle
entry device.
[0008] To this end, the invention concerns a vehicle entry device,
designed to equip a vehicle and comprising: [0009] a housing
defining a cavity and adapted to be fixed to the vehicle; and
[0010] an electronics module disposed in the cavity, including:
[0011] a printed circuit board; [0012] an antenna connected to the
printed circuit board and configured to capture a NFC signal,
wherein the antenna includes windings directly arranged on the
printed circuit board; [0013] a NFC receiver connected to the
printed circuit board, in communication with the antenna and
configured to receive the NFC signal from the antenna; and [0014] a
processing element connected to the printed circuit board, in
communication with the NFC receiver and configured to provide a
control signal to a control system equipping the vehicle, based on
the NFC signal transmitted by the NFC receiver, said control signal
allowing access to the vehicle.
[0015] Thanks to the invention, the vehicle entry device has a
simple, inexpensive and efficient construction. The vehicle entry
device is compact and practical to install in the vehicle. In
particular, the vehicle entry device is practical to connect to the
control system equipping the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle
entry device is practical to operate, with an electronic key or
preferably a personal communication device (such as a smartphone)
handled by a vehicle user. Design of the antenna and NFC tuning of
the electronics module are optimized for efficiency at close
range.
[0016] According to further aspects of the invention which are
advantageous but not compulsory, such a vehicle entry device may
incorporate one or several of the following features: [0017] The
processing element and the NFC receiver are connected to a first
side portion of the printed circuit board, while the antenna is
connected to a second side portion of the printed circuit board
opposite the first side portion. [0018] The antenna does not
surround the processing element. [0019] The housing has a front
part and a rear part defining the cavity for receiving the
electronics module. [0020] The front part is a transparent cover.
[0021] The front part and the rear part are assembled by laser
welding, thus sealing the housing. [0022] The antenna is positioned
closer to the front part than to the rear part. [0023] The antenna
includes three windings. [0024] The antenna has an overall
rectangular shape. [0025] The NFC receiver includes a capacitor and
an EMC filter. [0026] The processing element, the NFC receiver and
the antenna are connected to a same face of the printed circuit
board. [0027] The vehicle entry device further comprises an
electrical connector connected to the printed circuit board and
extending through the housing for connection of the electronics
module to the control system equipping the vehicle. [0028] The
electronics module further comprises a light source connected to
the printed circuit board and in communication with the NFC
receiver, and wherein the light source emits light through a
transparent or translucent portion of the housing when the NFC
receiver receives the NFC signal from the antenna. [0029] The
vehicle entry device further comprises a light guide positioned
between the light source and the transparent or translucent portion
of the housing. [0030] The antenna surrounds the light source.
[0031] The vehicle entry device further comprises a ferrite sheet
disposed on a rear outer surface of the housing. [0032] The ferrite
sheet covers an area of the rear outer surface of the housing
corresponding to an area covered by the antenna inside the housing.
[0033] The ferrite sheet covers an area of the outer surface of the
housing larger than an area covered by the antenna inside the
housing. [0034] The ferrite sheet is disposed opposite the
processing element, the NFC receiver and the antenna in relation
with the printed circuit board. [0035] The ferrite sheet is
attached to the housing by an adhesive. [0036] The housing has a
rear part including a plurality of mounting members for attachment
to the vehicle.
[0037] The invention also concerns a vehicle trim component
equipped with a vehicle entry device as mentioned here-above. The
housing of the vehicle entry device is attached to a mounting
surface of the vehicle trim component.
[0038] According to further aspects of the invention which are
advantageous but not compulsory, such a vehicle trim component may
incorporate one or several of the following features: [0039] The
vehicle trim component is a vehicle pillar member and the housing
of the vehicle entry device is attached to a mounting surface of a
pillar capping. [0040] A seal member is disposed between the
mounting surface of the vehicle trim component and the housing of
the vehicle entry device. [0041] The vehicle trim component is
provided with a marking visible from outside the vehicle. The
electronics module of the vehicle entry device comprises a light
source connected to the printed circuit board and in communication
with the NFC receiver. The light source emits light through a
transparent or translucent portion of the housing and backlights
the marking when the NFC receiver receives the NFC signal from the
antenna. [0042] The marking is a logo corresponding to the vehicle
type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The invention will now be explained in correspondence with
the annexed figures, and as an illustrative example, without
restricting the object of the invention. In the annexed
figures:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle entry device
according to the invention, designed to equip a vehicle trim
component;
[0045] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle entry
device, comprising front and rear housing parts, an electronics
module and a light guide;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a front view of the electronics module, at a
larger scale;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle trim
component, destined to receive the vehicle entry device, from a
rear direction;
[0048] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the vehicle trim
component of FIG. 4, receiving the vehicle entry device;
[0049] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the vehicle entry
device, from a rear direction; and
[0050] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6, of a vehicle
entry device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0051] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a vehicle entry device 1 and a vehicle
trim component 100 according to the invention, designed to equip a
vehicle, in particular an automotive vehicle.
[0052] Device 1 comprises a housing 10, an electronics module 20,
an electrical connector 30, a light guide 80 and a ferrite sheet
90. Device 1 is designed to equip component 100.
[0053] Housing 10 has an elongated rectangular shape. Housing 10
comprises a front part 11 and a rear part 12 defining an inner
cavity 13. Parts 11 and 12 can be joined by laser welding after
elements 20, 30 and 80 have been positioned into cavity 13, so that
housing 10 is sealed.
[0054] Front part 11 is a transparent cover, thus providing two
benefits: ease the assembly of housing 10 by laser welding, and
allow light transmission from a light source 28 equipping
electronics module 20 to outside housing 10. Alternately, front
part 11 may be a translucent cover instead of a transparent one.
Front part 11 is provided with a protruding hollow portion 18 for
receiving light guide 80 in alignment with light source 28. In
alternative embodiments, at least portion 18 of housing 10 is
transparent or translucent to allow light transmission.
[0055] Rear part 12 has a bottom wall 14 and lateral walls 15. Rear
part 12 has longitudinal ends provided with a plurality of mounting
members 16. In the embodiment shown on the figures, mounting
members protrude from end walls 15 along longitudinal direction of
housing 10 and are provided with screw holes 17.
[0056] Housing 10, more particularly its rear part 12 provided with
mounting members 16, is designed to be fixed to component 100.
[0057] Module 20 comprises a PCB 21 (printed circuit board), having
conductors not shown formed on its surface. PCB 21 is double sided,
with two external layers and two internal layers. Alternately, PCB
21 may be single sided. PCB 21 has a rectangular shape extending
between opposite longitudinal ends 22 and 23. PCB 21 is designed to
be fitted in cavity 13 of housing 10, while being connected to
connector 30.
[0058] A first side portion 24 of PCB 21 located near end 22 is
provided with several electronic components connected to PCB 21,
while a second side portion 25 of PCB 21 located near end 23 is
provided with light source 28 and an antenna 70 connected to PCB
21. Side portion 24 is smaller than side portion 25.
[0059] Side portion 24 is provided with a microprocessor 40, a
capacitor 50 and an EMC filter 60. Side portion 24 may have several
additional passive or active components mounted thereto, not shown
and not described for simplification purpose. As a non-limitative
example, those additional components may include a power cell for
supplying light source 28 and other components with energy.
[0060] Side portion 24 is provided with a row of holes 26 near end
22, for connection of module 20 to connector 30.
[0061] Connector 30 comprises a body provided with upward
protruding pins 31 and a lateral protruding portion 32. Connector
30 can be advantageously overmolded into rear part 12 of housing
10. Pins 31 are press-fitted into holes 26 for connecting PCB 21 to
connector 30. Portion 32 extends through an end wall 15 of housing
10, between cavity 13 and outside of housing 10, for connection of
connector 30 to the control system equipping the vehicle. Thus,
module 20 can be easily connected to said control system.
[0062] In practice, antenna 70 is configured to capture a specific
NFC signal, sent for example by an electronic key or a personal
communication device, handled by the vehicle user. Capacitor 50 and
EMC filter 60 constitute a NFC receiver 50+60 in communication with
light source 28 and antenna 70 via PCB 21. NFC receiver 50+60 is
designed to receive the NFC signal captured by antenna 70.
Microprocessor 40 constitutes a processing element, also in
communication with NFC receiver 50+60 via PCB 21. Microprocessor 40
is configured to selectively provide a control signal to the
control system equipping the vehicle, based on the NFC signal
received from NFC receiver 50+60.
[0063] Upon reception of control signal from device 1, said control
system allows the vehicle user to access the vehicle, by unlocking
one or several doors of the vehicle.
[0064] Antenna 70 has an overall rectangular shape, for example of
30 millimeters by 100 millimeters. Antenna 70 is positioned closer
to front part 11 than to rear part 12 of housing 10, to facilitate
the capture of the NFC signal. Antenna 70 does not surround
electronic elements 40, 50 and 60, so that they do not have to
withstand the electromagnetic field generated by antenna 70, thus
avoiding disturbance.
[0065] Antenna 70 is made of two wires defining three turns or
windings 71, 72 and 73, each having an overall rectangular shape
and being directly arranged on PCB 21. Winding 71 is made of two
sections 711 and 712, winding 72 is made of two sections 721 and
722, and winding 73 is made of two sections 731 and 732. Near end
23, sections 711 and 722 shift and are linked to each other, and
similarly sections 721 and 732 shift and are linked to each other.
Sections 711, 721, 722, 731 and 732 belong to the same wire, while
only section 712 belongs to another wire.
[0066] Winding 71 is connected via sections 74 and 75 to capacitor
50 for tuning antenna 70. More precisely, section 74 is an
extension of section 711, while section 75 is an extension of
section 712. Thus, NFC receiver 50+60 is in direct and close
communication with antenna 70. Optimized design of antenna 70,
including size and number of windings 71, 72 and 73, associated
with its tuning to NFC receiver 50+60, allows antenna 70 to be
routed on PCB 21 with the rest of electronic components, with
performances similar to those of a larger antenna. For example,
antenna has an inductance of 1.69 pH.
[0067] Advantageously, microprocessor 40, capacitor 50, EMC filter
60 and antenna 70 are all connected to the front face of PCB 21.
Moreover, light guide 80 is also positioned on the front face of
PCB 21. Thus, device 1 is more compact in depth, which further
facilitates its integration to the vehicle.
[0068] Light guide 80 is positioned between light source 28 and
portion 18 of housing 10. Alternately, device 1 can be devoid of
light guide 80. Light source 28 and light guide 80 are positioned
in the middle of tracks 71, 72 and 73. Antenna 70 surrounds light
source 28 and partly light guide 80.
[0069] Device 1 is integrated to vehicle trim component 100, with
housing 10 attached to a mounting surface of said component 100.
Preferably, component 100 is a pillar member and housing 10 is
attached to a mounting surface of a pillar capping. A seal member
may be disposed between housing 10 and the mounting surface
component 100.
[0070] WO 2010 115 585 discloses an example of vehicle trim
component provided with a vehicle entry device. Such trim component
may be equipped with device 1 according to the invention.
[0071] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of vehicle trim component 100
for a vehicle door, designed to accommodate device 1. For
simplification purpose, device 1 is partly shown on FIG. 5, without
connector 30 and rear part 12 of housing 10.
[0072] Component 100 is a pillar member having a front side 101 and
a rear side 102. On FIGS. 4 and 5, component 100 is shown from its
rear side 102. Component 100 comprises a pillar capping 110
provided with two lateral borders 111 and 112. Together, capping
110 and borders 111 and 112 define a cavity 113 provided with
mounting elements 116 for receiving device 1
[0073] A portion 118 of capping 110 is provided with a marking
visible from outside the vehicle. Preferably, this marking is a
logo 108 corresponding to the vehicle type. Portion 118 of capping
110 is designed to accommodate portion 18 of housing 10. Light
guide 80 has dimensions superior or equal to logo 108.
[0074] Light source 28 emits light through light guide 80, then
portion 18 of housing 10, then portion 118 of capping 110, when NFC
receiver 50+60 of module 20 receives the NFC signal from antenna
70. Thus, logo 108 is illuminated when light source 28 backlights
portion 118, allowing the vehicle user to notice operation of
device 1.
[0075] Capping 110 can be formed of a single layer integrating
portion 118. However, preferably, capping 110 is formed of two
layers of two different materials, including an opaque layer and a
transparent or translucent layer. Logo 108 can be formed on portion
118 with a specific arrangement of injection tool, such that
portion 118 has an opaque area and a transparent area forming logo
108. Therefore, from outside the vehicle, the opaque area of
portion 118 has exactly the same aspect as the remaining surface of
capping 100, result that is not possible to obtain by using an
adhesive logo applied on the internal surface of a transparent
layer.
[0076] The transparent or translucent layer can be made of smoked
transparent material, as in sunglasses, such that logo 108 is
almost invisible when not illuminated by light source 28.
[0077] As shown on FIG. 6, ferrite sheet 90 is fixed to an outer
surface 19 of bottom wall 14, belonging to rear part 12 of housing
10. Ferrite sheet 90 can be a plate or film. Ferrite sheet 90 can
be attached to wall 14 of housing 10 by any suitable means, but
preferably by an adhesive. Alternately, ferrite sheet 90 can be
overmolded into wall 14 of housing 10. Ferrite sheet 90 covers an
area of the outer surface 19 corresponding to the area covered by
antenna 70 inside housing 10. Ferrite sheet 90 is disposed opposite
microprocessor 40, NFC receiver 50+60 and antenna 70 in relation
with PCB 21.
[0078] As NFC is a short range radio frequency identification
system, device 1 and particularly antenna 70 need to be integrated
as close as possible to the outer part of the vehicle body. Vehicle
bodies are frequently made of metal or include metal components,
absorbing the electromagnetic field. Thanks to the ferrite sheet
90, electromagnetic field absorption can be reduced, thus improving
the efficiency of device 1.
[0079] FIG. 7 shows a vehicle entry device 1 according to a second
embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, elements similar
to the first embodiment have the same references and work in the
same way. In FIG. 7, ferrite sheet 90 covers an area of outer
surface 19 of housing 10 which is larger than the area covered by
antenna 70 inside housing 10. Electromagnetic field absorption is
further reduced, thus further improving the efficiency of device
1.
[0080] Other non-shown embodiments can be implemented within the
scope of the invention. In addition, technical features of the
different embodiments can be, in whole or part, combined with each
other. Thus, the vehicle entry device 1 can be adapted to the
specific requirements of the application.
* * * * *